15.03.2023Europa League

Hradecky ahead of #FTCB04: Be humble and work hard

The Werkself visit the Hungarian capital one week after the 2-0 home win against Ferencváros in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16 tie with eyes focused on the target of reaching the quarter-finals. Head coach Xabi Alonso and captain Lukas Hradecky talked at the pre-match press conference ahead of the game on Thursday 16 March (kick-off: 21.00 CET) about the situation in the tie and the great football euphoria in Hungary – which goalkeeper Hradecky is very familiar with.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

The Werkself had just three days to recover after the energy-sapping 3-2 away win at Werder Bremen. Head coach Xabi Alonso declared at the pre-match press conference that his team has "good energy" in spite of that.

Not just the energy but also the mood within his team gives the Spaniard confidence looking at the second leg against the Hungarian record champions and record cup winners. Alonso added: "We are ready for the game and looking forward to this European night with a great atmosphere!"

over 65,000 Fans in the stands

The Werkself play Ferencváros on Thursday night at the Puskas Arena, Hungary's national stadium. The biggest ground in the land, opened in 2019 and also the venue for this year's Europa League final, has a capacity of over 65,000 and will be very close to being sold out on Thursday night.

One person who is very familiar with the football euphoria in Hungary is Lukas Hradecky. The Werkself captain has played in Budapest several times in the past with the Finnish national team: "I know the Hungarian fans, they support their teams from the first minute. There will be a really good atmosphere and it will be a great experience!"

The situation ahead of the second leg is better compared with the play-off against AS Monaco (3-2 defeat in first leg), "nevertheless we have to be aware that Ferencváros are capable of turning round this Round of 16 game," said Hradecky who finish by saying: "We have to be humble and work hard."

Related News

Women - 01.09.2026

Ruby Grant joins Sporting CP

Midfielder Ruby Grant is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and joining Portuguese runners-up Sporting CP a year before her contract expires. The 24-year-old has been at the Werkself since January 2025.

Bayer 04 - 01.09.2026

Arthur joins Werder Bremen on loan

Bayer 04 have loaned Brazilian full-back Arthur to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen for one year. Arthur Augusto de Matos Soares – the full name of the right-back – has a contract with Leverkusen until 30 June 2031. At Werder, the 23-year-old is expected to make an impact and help the long-established club further consolidate their position in the Bundesliga.

Bayer 04 - 01.09.2026

Bayer 04 loan defender Belocian to Racing Santander

Bayer 04 have loaned defender Jeanuel Belocian to Spanish top-flight side Racing Santander. The 21-year-old defender joins the team currently ninth in La Liga until the end of the current 2026/27 season. Belocian’s contract remains valid until 30 June 2029. Last season, the 1.86-metre-tall U21 international was loaned to VfL Wolfsburg for six months.

Bayer 04 - 01.09.2026

Back where it all began: Profile of Moussa Diaby

He knows the dressing room, the pitch and the club. But, above all, he knows the feeling of playing for the Werkself at the BayArena: Moussa Diaby is back in Leverkusen after three years. The lightning-fast winger has signed a contract with Bayer 04 until 2031 and he will once again wear the number 19 jersey. The left-footed player previously played for the club from 2019 to 2023, having arrived in the Rhineland from his native France as a promising young talent and eventually leaving the club – having established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s best attackers – to join Aston Villa in the Premier League. Now he has returned to Bayer 04 from Al-Ittihad FC in Saudi Arabia.